Car-signal.



w. H. .Scnwmznn.

GAB SIGNAL.

APPLICATION mun 0012s, 1901.

Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

Vat

WILLIAM H. sonwnizea'or BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

CAR-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec'...8 1908.

Application filed. October 3,1907. Serial No- 396,415.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM H. hirirwm- ZER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore city and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Signals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to car signals, and more particularly to signals designed to warn the motor-man of a street car when a passenger is standing upon the rear step.

The object of the-invention is to provide improved and simplified means for giving the motorman this warning signal, so that the car will not be started when some one is preparing to alight from the rear platform.

T 0 this end, the invention may be said to consist in the arrangements shown and described in the accompanying drawing and following specification, and set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side View of a street car, provided with the signaling arrangements in duplicate; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the step; and Fig. 8 is a section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Referring now to these drawings, 1 indicates the car in general.

2, 2 are the steps at the two ends of the car, either step being the rear one, according to the direction of travel of the car.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the step comprises two members, a lower rigid member 3, and an upper member a, which is hinged at its inner edge, as at 5. f

G is a lamp at each. end of the car, over the motormans head.

7 is an independent source of electric current, as a storage battery, for supplying the lamp; and by independent, I mean distinct from the source which supplies the current for running the car.

8 is the individual lamp circuit. This lamp or signal circuit is normally open, and is adapted to be closed by the depression of member 3 of the step, under the weight of a person standing thereon. For this purpose, the lower member 3 is shown as provided with a plurality of upstanding leaf contacts or terminals 9, these contacts being arranged in pairs so connected together that the spaces between the members of each pair constitute gaps in the circuit 8, whose terminals are connected to the outer members of the outer pairs of contacts. 10 are contacts, in the nature of plugs, depending from the under side of the movable member 5 of the step, their entrance belnvcen the members of the several pairs of contacts 9. closing the circuit, as will be readily understood. It will be understood, however, that, while I have shown and described one arrangement whereby the depression of member 4 closes the circuit, other arrangements might be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The upper member 4: of the'step is maintained normally elevated, so that the circuit is broken, by means of springs 11 interposed between the two parts of the step. Other devices might be employed for this purpose; but I prefer that the resilient separating means should be distinct from the various contacts. I It is very important to prevent the entrance of rain and dirt between the two parts of the step; and, in order to prevent this, I provide the sides and front of the member I with a depending flange 12, which embraces the stationary member 3. In order to prevent the upper hinged step member from becoming unduly depressed, and thereby injuring the contacts, I have shown the member 3 as being furnished with an upstanding ledge ll; but it will be obvious that this stop might be otherwise formed and located.

The operation of the invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description. I. desire to call attention, however, to the importance of supplying the signal lamps from an independent source of current. I am aware that it has been proposed to provide signals of this general description which are supplied from the main car circuit. This arrangement possesses numerous disadvantages. Among them, suppose the main circuit along the track to have become interrupted, or cut off from the car, and the car still proceeding under its momentum, as frequently occurs. It will' be obvious that, in such event, a rirson standing upon the step preparatory to allghting 'WllllGillG car is still in motion,

would cause no signal to be given to the motorman. With an independent source of supply and individual circuit, however, the

motorman. must, receive the signal whenever a person stands upon the rear step and as long as the several devices are in repair.

I realize that numerous changes might 'be .made in my invention without altering the principles thereof, and desire to reserve the right to make all such. For example, otherforms of signal than a lamp or visible signal might be employed.

\Vhat I claim as new is:

1. In a street car, the combination of a signal disposed over the platform, an actuating circuit therefor, and a step adapted to close said circuit under the weight of a person standing thereon, comprising a lower ating circuit therefor, and a step adapted to close said circuit under the weight of a person standing thereon, comprising a lower rigid contact-bearing member provided with an upstanding stop, and an upper contactbearing member liingedly supported along its inner edge and provided with a peripheral depending dirt-excluding flange embracing said lower member.

3. In a street-car, the combination of a signal disposed over the platform, an actuating circuit therefor, and a step adapted to close said circuit under the weight of a person standing thereon, comprising a lower rigid member, an uppermovable member pivotally connected thereto and provided with a depending flange movable therewith and covering the outer edge of said lower rigid member, and spring means normally separating said step-members.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. SCHIVEIZER.

\Vitnesses E. WALTER. BREWINGTON,

MARY M. MACRAW. 

